Descriptionary

pundit n. (PUN dit) an authority or expert serving as a critic. The political pundits had much to criticize with the president's sexual escapades.

pungent adj. (PUN jent) having a sharp odor or taste. These spices are too pungent for my taste.

purge adj. (PURJ) to eliminate, excrete, or cleanse. To repair your computer, we must purge it of viruses.

quack n. (KWACK) one who practices a profession, especially medicine, yet is unschooled and incompe­tent. The quack's magical medicine turned out to be made of sugar.

qualify vb. (KWAL uh fye) to modify. Bill reported that the company would not be making any more widgets, but I need to qualify that statement; we'll make them if we get sufficient orders for them.

quandary n. (KWON duh ree) a predicament. We're in something of a quandary here; you say companies require experience to get this job, but how do we get experience if they won't hire us?

quantum leap n. (KWON tum LEEP) a radical change or altering of direction. The popularizing of the personal computer has produced a quantum leap toward a global information network.

quell vb. (KWELL) to subdue or suppress. In an attempt to quell inner-city violence, the mayor is advocating stricter gun control.

que sera sera Spanish for "whatever will be will be." If you've taken every safety precaution possible, there is no longer any purpose in worrying; que sera sera.

quixotic adj. (kwik SOT ik) impractically roman­tic or idealistic, from the fictional character of Don Quixote. Her dreams of spending her honeymoon on a tiny sailboat in the middle of the Pacific were quix­otic; neither she nor her fiance knew how to sail.

radical adj. (RAD i cul) extreme; fanatical. His idea to shut down all businesses that pollute was radical.

rakish adj. (RAY kish) dashing, jaunty. The women turned their heads in unison as the rakish gentleman entered the room.

rambunctious adj. (ram BUNK shus) unruly; rau­cous and noisy. Any rambunctious children will be removed from the museum.

ramification n. (ram uh fuh KAY shun) a conse­quence or effect. The loss of the nuclear plant would have several ramifications, not the least of which was significantly higher energy bills.

rampant adj. (RAMP unt) growing or spreading out of control. Population growth in many third world countries has become rampant.

rancor n. (RANG kur) deep-seated hatred. The ran­cor between the two parties may prevent them from agreeing on anything worthwhile.

rapacious adj. (ruh PAY shus) predatory; plunder­ing. The rapacious pirates stole every last item of value from the government vessel.